You failed to protect her”: Parents avoid prison after 9-day-old baby dies from cocaine passed through breast milk

Darcey’s parents, whose nine-day-old baby died after cocaine was found in her system, will not serve time in prison.

On November 11, 2023, the baby was found unconscious in a room at the Victoria Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall. During the court hearing, it was said that the drug may have been passed to the baby through breast milk.

Rochelle Thomas, 30, and Andrew Maunder, 29, had taken a room at the hotel shortly after their daughter was born.

Emergency crews went to the scene, but Darcey was pronounced dead shortly after 11:00 a.m. Her parents were found in severe emotional distress, while traces of blood were found on the baby’s face.

Both pleaded guilty to child neglect. Truro Crown Court was told that the couple used cocaine. Toxicology tests showed that Thomas had used the substance during pregnancy and after giving birth, while Maunder used it regularly.

Traces of the drug were found in Darcey’s system, on the parents’ clothes and fingers, and in a glass placed beside the bed.

Judge Simon Carr sentenced each of them to two and a half years in prison, but suspended the sentence for three years.

“Darcey should have been able to rely on you for her protection. You completely failed to protect her,” the judge said, noting that the parents’ addiction had displaced their responsibility to care for the baby.

When determining the sentence, the court also took into account the couple’s serious psychological problems. Thomas had used drugs to cope with post-traumatic stress and depression, while Maunder’s remorse and the mental health difficulties he had experienced were taken into consideration.

In addition to the suspended sentence, both must participate in rehabilitation programs for one year. Thomas was also ordered to attend a specialist drug addiction treatment program for six months.